Coach Bobby Petrino Unofficially Headed Back To Louisville

Is it fate? Are the stars aligned? Who knows, but former Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino, who was just hired this past season to coach at Western Kentucky University, is headed back to Cardinal Nation.

According to several reports, Petrino has been offered the head coaching job he once held from 2003-2006 which included two bowl wins (Liberty and Orange). Petrino left Louisville in 2007 to accept a head coaching job in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons, where he lasted only one season after posting a disappointing 3-10 record. He then rejoined the college ranks at the University of Arkansas for four seasons, where he again turned in two bowl victories. And of course, the coach had a very public scandal in 2012 when he had an affair with an Arkansas volleyball player which was revealed after the two were involved a motorcycle accident. He also offered Jessica Dorrell $20,000 which Arkansas AD Jeff Long determined to lead to a sexual harassment suit if Petrino were retained, and he was soon dismissed as coach after.

In December 2012, Petrino was hired as head coach at Western Kentucky University, and in his first season, the Toppers scored a winning record (8-4) but they were not invited to a bowl game. Since Petrino may be leaving, he would have to re-pay WKU $1.2 million in six monthly payments starting the month after he leaves, per his contract. As of this writing, financial terms of the Louisville deal have not been disclosed.

Departing Cardinal coach Charlie Strong was hired by Texas over the weekend.